“Greatness only belongs to those who earn it again, every day,” said Head coach Ryan Rodriguez of the Poly boys water polo team. This philosophy embodies the team’s performance this season, where they collected win after win to earn an impressive 17-10 overall record. Although they suffered an emotional 10-9 loss at Notre Dame on Tuesday, Nov. 4, ending their CIF-SS Division III playoff run in the second round, the Panthers can, nevertheless, be proud of their successful season. But this season was about more than wins and losses. It was about developing a family that expands as they play more water polo. Sophomore side attacker William Connolly said, “Competing in CIF was an incredible experience. It felt amazing to be part of something bigger than myself and to see all of our hard work pay off.” He added that the seniors and captains played a big role in teaching him perseverance. “They showed me how important it is to stay composed under pressure and to support your teammates no matter what.” However, the road to CIF was not always smooth. The team endured tough practices and close defeats, all while facing the high expectations that come with last year’s semifinal appearance. Connolly credits Rodriguez’s guidance in helping the Panthers overcome these challenges: “Coach Rodriguez always reminded us that our best growth happens when things get hard. That mindset really brought us together.” Senior captain Daniel Lara called this season the peak of his four years of work. “As captain, I felt immense pride in the team that we developed into this season. Every single one of us stepped up in our own way, and that’s what makes our team great,” Lara said. “We’re less of a team and more like a family. I could never imagine anyone on the team yelling at each other for mistakes because of the culture we’ve created.” Adversity, though, tested that bond. “After a few early losses, we could have fallen apart,” Lara admitted, “but instead, we turned it into motivation. We started showing up earlier, staying later and trusting each other more.” Rodriguez praised the group’s response to setbacks. “What made this group special wasn’t just their athletic ability; it was how they handled setbacks. Every time they got knocked down, they responded with maturity and hunger,” he said, noting that communication gave way to trust by season’s end. Lara’s favorite memory was of the first CIF game against Schurr High School, a 9-7 win that captured the team’s spirit. “The energy in the pool and on the pool deck was incredible, and it reminded me why we play the game, for the people who have supported us, and most of all, for each other,” he shared. Freshman Maynard Lee, who made a big impact in the game against Schurr with his strong counterattacks, stated, “The team energy was extremely high, everyone was excited to play, and all of us were focused on winning just one more round.” Lee’s clutch steal in the fourth quarter of the game helped secure a key victory. “It felt exhilarating,” Lee said. “This season has only added to my drive to win a CIF championship.” Despite the playoff exit, the team can rest easy knowing they put all their energy and effort into a successful season. Reflecting on his last season with the Panthers, Lara left his teammates with these words: “Just keep playing Poly water polo. Enjoy every moment of every practice, every game and every tournament. When your Poly polo career is over, you will wish you could swim those thousands with the squad one more time.”